Tottenham Hotspur turn their attention to the Premier League relegation battle after their UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid

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There was a rare feeling of positivity around Tottenham Hotspur following Wednesday's exit from the UEFA Champions League after their 3-2 second-leg victory over Atletico Madrid. And now, Spurs' attentions turn to the Premier League relegation they find themselves in, with a massive game against Nottingham Forest coming on Sunday. Forest sit one place and one point below Spurs in the table.

Highlights: Atleti into last eight despite second-leg defeat to spirited Spurs

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Although Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, there was a sense of positivity around the club.

Spurs lost 7-5 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid following their pulsating 3-2 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the second leg of their last 16 tie.

But while the defeat marks the end of Spurs’ European football participation this season, optimism was the overriding emotion after a much-improved performance.

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Coming so soon after a promising display against Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend, the win on Wednesday was the first under Igor Tudor following a tumultuous start to his time in north London.

With their Champions League adventure over, Spurs now return to the Premier League relegation battle they find themselves mired in and, in particular, a pivotal home game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Forest sit one place and one point below Spurs in the table. And following Wednesday’s victory, former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand said that every one of Spurs’ remaining games "is a cup final," while Owen Hargreaves stressed the importance of their next game.

"They won’t have a bigger game all season and obviously they’ve found a bit of form," Hargreaves told TNT Sports.

"At Anfield, I thought they played well and today they played well. They have confidence, they have a little bit of momentum.

"They will not have a bigger game all season. That one is massive. If they can find a way at home to get three points, that changes the complexion of everything. But they seem like they’re headed in the right direction."

Tudor has 'mixed' emotions after Atleti second-leg win

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‘The sensations are mixed’

The victory over Atletico showcased factors that Spurs fans have been bemoaning the absence of all year - fight, passion, energy and desire.

From the opening stages, the home team were snapping into challenges and not letting the Spanish side settle.

And they were rewarded when Randal Kolo Muani headed home from close range to give them the lead and give Spurs fans the slightest hope that a remarkable comeback could be on the cards.

That hope was quashed just after half-time, as Julian Alvarez’s thumping finish levelled the match. But Spurs kept going, retaking the lead minutes later through a sumptuous strike from Xavi Simons.

They were once again pegged back, though, through David Hancko’s close range header.

Although the comeback chances were fading away, Spurs did not give up and got a winner on the night through Simons’ second of the night, this time from the penalty spot, in the 90th minute.

Vicario taking 'lots of positives' from Spurs second-leg win over Atleti

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Despite the result over two legs, the Spurs players were applauded off by the home fans who appeared to appreciate the commitment they had shown.

Speaking after the game, Tudor said the "sensations are mixed" after his maiden Spurs victory, but ultimately exit from the Champions League.

But the Croatian added that it was a relief to get off the mark and hopes the "very good performance" can be a springboard for a positive end to the campaign, with his team mired in a relegation battle that appears to be heading down to the wire.

"Beautiful sensation on the pitch with the fans who were really there with the squad," Tudor told TNT Sports.

"And the team was good from the first moment, they recognised this will to do what they can do. So good sensation after the game even though we didn’t qualify.

"All sensations are positive in every way. This commitment behind, there was quality in front, a lot of running, a lot of good things. So this is the good direction that we take."

Spurs have 'confidence and momentum' in relegation battle - Hargreaves

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With a big game coming up this weekend, Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario echoed the positive nature of his manager’s comments.

"I think a lot of positives to take from tonight from every aspect. We showed what we need to show every game so, of course, it’s a good build-up into the next games," Vicario told TNT Sports.

"It gives us a lot of confidence and we are very proud of what we did tonight. Of course, we are disappointed because we couldn’t go through. That’s football.

"But the important thing is that we have good energy now, good freshness for what we showed tonight. So it’s a good point to start."

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